Surviving Manic Depression: A Manual on Bipolar Disorder for Patients, Families, and Providers

by E. Fuller Torrey, Michael B. Knable

Surviving Manic Depression is the most authoritative book on this disorder, which affects more than two million people in the U.S. alone. Based on the latest research, it provides detailed coverage of every aspect of manic depression-from understanding its causes and treatments to choosing doctors and managing relapses-with guidance drawn from the latest scientific information. Drs. Torrey and Knable provide thorough, up-to-date coverage of all aspects of the disease, including a detailed description of symptoms (with many direct descriptions from patients themselves), risk factors, onset and cause, medications (including drugs still in the testing stage), psychotherapy, and rehabilitation, as well as information about how the disease affects children and adolescents. Here too are discussions of special problems related to manic depression, including alcohol and drug abuse, violent behavior, medication noncompliance, suicide, sex, AIDS, and confidentiality. Surviving Manic Depression also includes special features such as a listing of selected websites, books, videotapes, and other resources.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Laren · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title misleads one into believing that this is a sort of survival manual that would contain information for bipolar patients, and families of bipolar patients as well. Instead, it is just the same old rehash of how little we know about the disease with very little information pertinent to anyone who wants real coping advice and not just information on a disease.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was both more informative than I expected, and not as informative as I hoped, but all-in-all a very good read. Firstly, it was not as informative as I hoped, primarily because it is out-dated. It's nearly 20 years old and mostly refers to the DSM-III-R; we are now using the DSM-IV-TR. In that respect, many of the things I read were not new or surprising because the information has been well-established, and some of the research studies mentioned in the book have long since concluded.

That being said, this book offers a lot of terrific basic knowledge on manic depression (bipolar disorders), as well as more advanced information - of which might be slightly out of reach of the typical layperson, but well within grasp of anyone who is familiar with psychology, the illness, or has Google Dictionary at hand.

Although I'm very familiar with the illness, I did find a lot of interesting and surprising information - like how closely linked it is to schizophrenia, and how the illness can be genetically heritable, and how delusions and psychosis can actually be pervasive in many cases. It also provided clarity on some areas such as why anti-psychotics are prescribed for a mood disorder, and why anti-psychotics are often accompanied with anti-depressants.

I also appreciated how the book addressed myths surrounding the illness, such as the correlation of manic depression and violent behavior, the correlation of manic depression and creativity, and the correlation of manic depression and prenatal illness. Another thing I greatly appreciated was how the book directly addresses that a painful majority of studies on manic depression do not include significant numbers, thus leaving the data and our higher understanding to be inconclusive.

The parts of the book I found most valuable were the anecdotes from patients and family members of those suffering manic depression because it provided a level of humanity to the text, as well as additional support for the diagnosis and treatment. I was also surprised to find valuable tidbits in the chapters I didn't think I would find very interesting, such as the chapter on manic depression in children and adolescents, and manic depression in family members. These chapters set off an epiphany or two that I don't think I would have reached without a degree of separation and the unbiased perspective the text offers.

A very good, comprehensive book about manic depression. Recommended for basic understanding and knowledge, but with the understanding that the text leans slightly more on the professional vocabulary so a dictionary at hand would be useful; and it is outdated, so there should be more up-to-date books out there.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars would be more accurate. I am more of the mindset that prescribed medication is NOT the only way to deal with any sort of psychological disorder. I would have to agree completely with the author in one particular respect: more research needs to be done. The funding is there, it is just being mis-managed(?). It speaks volumes when the author can give statistics regarding money that has been wasted on a study to see how grant money is being wasted by groups like NIMH.

On a completely subjective note, this book really is a survival manual for manic depressive disorder(s). It covers everything from the definition(s) of the diagnosis; forms of treatment, including all medications available, with their side-effects and any drug interactions to be aware of; laws to be aware of; support groups devoted to the cause; and even which groups to watch out for and avoid. Lots of information, most of it useful.

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very nicely researched book with a lot of help for those who suffer from bipolar issues. The old label for this condition, manic depression, is a bit more helpful in determining how to treat symptoms for those who suffer with mania, depression, or both. I feel that this book has helped me tremendously in my own struggles. This author has researched several other good books about other mental health topics.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute MUST READ! If you have a someone with a bipolar disorder, you need to read this. If you have someone with bipoloar disorder, they need to read this. A veritable bible of information on bipolar disorder.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, after reading Surviving Schizophrenia, there was a lot of overlap between these two books and

[John Mccarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

E. Fuller Torrey is the Father of Bipolar Diagnosis!

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

hardcover; stickers and stamps; worn copy, dog-eared, writing in text, binding cracked in at least 2 places, slight water damage.